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The weather has been decidedly springlike lately and that's sure to get folks thinking more about getting outdoors.

A great way to enjoy the outdoor experience is with a paddle trip, and the Friends of the Chemung River Watershed group wants to introduce newcomers to the joys of a kayak float down the river.

River Friends will sponsor at least three guided paddle trips on the Chemung River this year, all geared toward beginners and novice paddlers.

The trips will be equipped and led by Southern Tier Kayak Tours of Ithaca. Each paddle features a river-related educational talk or a boat launch visit with guest speakers.

The paddles will be relatively easy, with a few small riffles and low spots where paddlers may have to drag their kayaks over the river bottom for several yards. Trips will include a safety talk, basic paddle lessons and learn-as-you-go instructions from the tour guides.

So far, paddle trips have been scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 14, 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 8 and 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 13. More trips will be announced later in the year.

The cost is $25 per person and each paddle trip will be limited to the first 20 participants who register and pay the fee.

To register and for more information, contact Southern Tier Kayak Tours at 220-3642 or mail@stktours.com, or go to stktours.com.

Turkey federation banquet

The Chemung Valley Ridgerunners Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its 15th annual hunting heritage banquet March 27 at the Elmira Holiday Inn Riverview.

The doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.

The event will include raffles, live and silent auctions, with items such as outdoor artwork and a variety of firearms from Henry, Winchester, Mossberg and Remington.

Tickets are $55 per person and $75 per couple at the door. People who register by Saturday will qualify for early bird specials, including free raffle tickets and free chances to win guns.

For more information, contact Chad McDonald at 734-5288.

Fly fishing class

The Twin Tiers Five Rivers Chapter of the International Federation of Fly Fishers will hold a one-day fly fishing class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11 at Campbell-Savona High School.

The class is for adults and youth 12 and older. Nationally-known instructors will cover all aspects of the sport, including equipment, flies, casting, and fishing techniques.

The fee is $75 for adults and $50 for youth 12 to 15. The first six youth to register will get a $25 discount. Proceeds will support local conservation and outdoor education projects. Anyone planning to attend must register by April 3.

For more information, contact Steve Harris at sjh529@stny.rr.com or 973-2509, or Kirk Klingensmith at kklingensmi@stny.rr.com or 346-7189.

Sportsmen's club auction

The Ridgebury Sportsmen's Club in Centerville, Pa. will hold a spring Chinese auction at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The club will auction off 20 hams, 10 $100 bills and several gift baskets. Winners of the baskets will be announced once the hams and $100 bills are gone.

The event is open to the public. The sportsmen's club is in the process of installing a new, larger kitchen and also rents out its hall for weddings, birthday parties and other events.

For more information, contact club manager Lindsey Squires at (570) 596-4373.

Reach Jeff Murray at 271-8251 or jmurray@stargazette.com. Follow Jeff online at stargazette.com/outdoornotebook, and on Twitter @SGJeffMurray.